Town Council - Regular Meeting

Order. Someone please rise for the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. We'll let the record reflect all council members are present tonight. Pastor Brown, would you like to start us off tonight?

Sure. Back to you. Pray. Our heavenly father, we give you thanks for another day. Father, we thank you so much for the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans. We thank you as father specifically for our town, our community. We thank you for the way you've been blessing us for so so long. And Father, as I pray every time, I just ask grant wisdom, courage, and integrity to the council members. help them to make the best decisions that's going to serve and benefit our community. We thank you for watching over us. We pray it all in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you, J.

We have minutes from our January 26 meeting week. Is this what you were?

Any additions or corrections to those minutes? We accept the minutes as written. I'll second. All in favor? Hi. Hi.

And we'll proceed with reports. Oh, we got another. There it is. I'm sorry. That's okay. We have the minutes from an executive session that occurred February 2nd. I move that we approve those. All in favor? I. And now Luke, you can proceed if you would like.

Okay. Code enforcement. I issued six more code and ordinance violation notices. I did five for trash cans and one uh no parking at any time at the subdivision since the last board meeting. had a conversation with our attorneys about adopting the CAT ordinance. Uh now he I understand it would write them up and then you guys would vote on them, choose the best one or something, but there's nothing um there's nothing in our ordinance book right now that pertains to cats, only dogs, chickens, and livestock. So just the call volume between me and the police department about the cats is pretty high. So you have a parameters in mind or I mean obviously I'm not going to say you can't have a cat but I mean are are you

like limiting in the number you can have? That was the that was the question. Do we do we make it the same as a dog or do we they were going to look at other towns see what they said. Um, basically not letting your cats out to go wrong. Yeah. And then make more destructive make more kittens. Yeah. So forth. Uh it would just it would just allow us to write them up on those and see action have them trapped if they don't basically right now we can't do that.

And the problem we're trying to fix is we have a lot of feral cats that are running around that don't need to be.

Yeah. And for example like out front of town hall the the feces and urine I can smell it. Uh I see it. Uh, so that was and then I know this has been discussed in the past too, but it's been brought up recently again a conversation with the chief of police in Arcadia about them having the authority to write certain ordinance violations like for speed and stuff that I can't write uh like traffic stuff like that. Um, and he's kind of wanting to push that back out there. See what we can do about that. I don't know what

when we initially, Fred, you remember that? I mean, basically, they were to handle anything traffic related, not parking, anything traffic related. Well, there was there was some hold up about speed limits being uniform or that be not being posted. I think correct posting. Yeah, there needs to be correct signs for and then speed limits. Then we have he said that they that they can write for whatever the posted speed is. Assuming that that's correct. I think and I don't want to put words in Alex's mouth, but I thought what he said was there were parts that weren't marked at all or were marked inconsistent depending on

that was one of the issues I remember. So we added a bunch more. uh went to our ordinance book, found you know what streets get what and we added physically added the signs. So there shouldn't be any streets without speed on the signs. Now my take on this is they can't write local ordinance violations which would get us not not that it's about the money but it would give us a cut of the the money basically. Right now they just write it as a normal ticket not as an Atlanta ordinance. They can write you for speed, but they can also write you for speed as an Atlanta ordinance violation.

So, what you're saying is they can still get somebody a ticket for speeding, but the money would go to the county. Yes. Rather than to Atlanta. Yes. I don't really care about the money for somebody speeding. I just want them not to speed. Yeah. Stop signs is big, too. Yeah. Yes, they are. Sure. You see that by your house? I mean, oh man. Yeah. I was just looking at his report. It doesn't look like there were that many.

Where' I put it? Um, it doesn't look like there were that many that they stopped. I can't find Go ahead. Under streets. Uh, Matt and I completed 17 locate tickets in January. Matt and I assaulted once Since the last board meeting, it's Friday. I think it's Friday the 6th. And the trucks are scheduled for undercoating and ceramic coating at ZBAR on March 4th and March 5th. Just take one on the 4th and pick it up the next day, leave a truck on the 5th. So that's all I got.

How is the salt situation getting Where are we on that? So I called Carville today. And it was a very confusing conversation, but basically tomorrow I need to get a hold of the county. That is if we're going to buy more or But we still haven't received our whole allocation. Have we? Or have we? Under my impression, we have 40 tons.

Okay. Um, and I'd say we have five ton left.

Um, so is there an opportunity to get additional? You can buy some percentage over like 20% over eight time eight times. I think we're allowed eight eight more times. So we bought 40. 20%'s eight. So we can get Yeah. Does that make sense? We don't have a crystal ball. We don't, you know, know what it's probably a good idea to get some. I would feel better if if it's available. I think it's going to hold till next year. I mean, you can always order less next year if you had to. Sure. Yeah. It doesn't go bad. We've got it in a building.

You need a motion for that or we just doing it? Yeah, let's do. Is there a motion to approve the purchase of additional salt from Carville? I make a motion that we purchase the additional eight tons of salt. I'll second that. All in favor? I

any questions for Luke on ordinance enforcement or streets or utilities or the council? I don't have any questions. I do have one. Excuse It's you're going to be here on code enforcement. Uh the property down here at the end of railroad and has there been they've been notified or um so there's been a conversation uh in person with him. Okay. But basically he won't take the mail so it gets sent back. Okay.

You just have to make a attempt. I think I made my attempts. Yeah, it's it's a mess. I was I've seen it today and uh it's just a mess. You're talking about the one day into this street, right? Yeah. Yeah. The module on the Yeah. So, that'll be Well, that'll be what I send to the attorneys. I can do that tomorrow. Yeah. With the injunction. I don't know where where the other injunction's at with the Adam Street property, but I did send that to them. Okay. Thank you. Any others from council?

All right. Um, we have Jennifer. Okay. In your packet, you do have I've got two ordinance or two resolutions. So, I don't know if you want to do them now or the funeral way and put them in new business, whichever you prefer.

The one for the uh fun and the Okay, let's go ahead and do those now. You can explain those to us. Okay. Okay. So, resolution R-002-2026-02 is actually an ordinance um doing end of the year transfers. So, at the end of the year um we do transfers any um funds that are um in the red. We do an automatic transfer. The computer um figures all them out. But these with these two transfers, there are different categories. So we have to have uh it has to be done by resolution council approval and they're under the general fund. It's just yes the sub fund.

Yes. For lack of a better word.

Resolution number R-002-2026-02. The town council for the town of Atlanta, Indiana does hereby deem it necessary to make the following transfers. This is all in the general fund from 1 0 01311 general legal to1001115 general extra help 25546.78 and from 1101001311 general legal to one 01131 general uh FICA 3282 and 74 cents. Is there a motion to approve this resolution?

Move that we approve that. Second. All in favor?

I Okay. And then I have resolution number R-002-2026-03. And I think this one's self-explanatory. Uh resolution declaring dormant fund account. Whereas the town council of the town of Atlanta, Indiana has determined the clerk treasurer needs the authority to close dormant fund accounts. And whereas the following fund accounts have zero balances and are inactive. Fund 25501 ball fields said fund accounts are dormant slashinactive and have zero balances with no funds remaining to be transferred to another fund. Now therefore be it resolved that the following funds are declared dormant and the clerk treasur is authorized to close said fund accounts. Fund 25501 ball fields adopted by the town council of Atlanta this the 9th day of February 2026. Is there a motion to approve resolution number R- 02-2026-03?

I make that resolution or that motion. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? Sorry.

And while you guys are signing that, I have a cancellation of outstanding warrants. This is just something I have to report to you guys. If the check has not been cashed within two years, it's considered void. So, we can actually put that back in the fund that it was that it was um written from. Other than that, I've closed out 2025 working on the AFR and franchise in OSHA report. And I believe that's all I have for tonight. These these cancellations were checks that you wrote. Yes. Okay. Any questions for Jennifer? 3.65.

I don't. I just what I I'll let you know what their interest is when Yeah, we get it monthly. We don't The question was about uh our park fund uh which is now funded with the proceeds of the sale of the baseball facility and we've currently parked that uh money into a money market account with a pretty decent interest rate. So, um, not only do we have a a nice amount of money to play with, but hopefully that will grow while we still are working towards a project.

I I had a question about that, Jim Crow. Are you eventually going to make that a subline item? Parks. Oh, you have. It's just not on this one. No, because it's in our trust Indiana. So, it's in a subfunded trust Indiana. Um, is it going to go in the the one with the other three park exceptions or is it Well, when when you've got it in trust Indiana, it shows it in Trust Indiana and not on Gotch. Okay. So, all right. Okay. Our attorneys are not present tonight. Uh, we'll move on to old business. The library. Uh, actually, Marie, we have a gentleman here that um was wanting to talk about the library. His name is Matt Persville. And yeah, so you can kind of

go ahead. Hello, my name is Patfield. I'm actually a resident of Tiffen County, but I have an Atlanta address. So, I own five or six properties in this county in this region. So, this is home for us. I own a general contracting company. We Sir, I'm sorry. Can I have you step over there, please? Thank you. I'm sorry. Is that on? Yeah. So I actually own an edge in our contract company. We are commercial and there we go. Thank you.

And we do nationwide projects. So we basically do a bunch of QSR work in our quick serve restaurants. So we'll build Burger Kings, Dutch Brother Coffees, fast food chains. Uh we do a lot of commercial work for independent clients, even global clients. So this to me is home. I'm not some out of state guy that's coming here to try to take anything from this town. This is my home. We come here for all the festivities, the festivals, so on and so forth. So, I was born and raised in this area, went to Hamilton Heights, graduated. Um, I'm a lifelong resident Hamilton County. So, it was brought to my attention that you guys are having an issue with finding a general contractor on your library project. I met with Fred and Jennifer and a few of my employees. I think it was Thursday,

Friday, Friday, Friday of this week to kind of look what you guys had going on. Um, I understand I did get your uh voicemail about Landmark. So, and just a quick walkthrough of that project. And I I know Landmark, we can actually go to them. We have done historical buildings in Noblesville that had to be ADA compliant. So, I know that they will allow ADA accessible ramps for the amount of money that is going to be funded for the elevator shaft for the exterior of that building with the masonary plus obviously the sidewalk has to be ADA compliant coming up to it and purchased the elevator.

Yeah, because we were looking at a and that was to preserve the the the facade of the ex the nature of the building as well. Correct. Yes. Um, like I said, it I wish we could have spoke. We didn't put ramps. Why was that? To preserve the exterior appearance of the building. So, to preserve the exterior of the building, I understand. So, I guess I'm a little confused. How are you guys going to find the block? They don't They're not building a building on the outside of our building. They're not building a shaft on the outside of our building. There's a ground level entrance. So, they're entering the building from the ground level. They're just cutting access where there's an existing window that's being expanded into

into a doorway. I got you. So, my apologies. We don't understand that. That's actually on the plans that the town hall I sent it to. Yeah. Um Well, that being said, I I understand why the historical society would not want ADA compliant ramp if there is an applicable. We just looked at it that that was a very large expenditure cost. And I know we've done projects. I can take you to downtown Nobles why we just did two of them 10 years ago. worked hand in hand with the historical to put ADA compliant ramps in for a fraction of the cost of what you guys would have just spent for for that elevator. But again, it's already $70,000 is about what it is

for just the elevator, not including masonary work, not including your residual month or your annual inspections, maintenance. So, it's okay. But it's not it's not the same cost as like a true elevator. This is correct. Yes, we build hotels. We have to we have to have all that stuff. Yes, it is a large cost for a normal six person occupancy shaft. I understand that. But there's still residual cost every single year and plus obviously upkeep and maintenance. But with that being said, we were just trying to see if we could pivot to help the town obviously keep the money in the town and utilize it for other projects. But if you've already purchased it, well, that's a whole another ball game. The other thing is it's not uh it was it's funded with a bond. Oh, it is. We already have the funding.

Okay. Yes. So, well, I said I wish we could have been here previously and we could have helped with due process. The Historical Society, they are tough to work with. Don't get me wrong. This is this I guess I'm confused. We never even approached them about doing ramps because we didn't want them. I mean, when we first talked about this, we wanted to keep the outside of that building as original as we could, right? So the ramp would not affect the outside of the building. It it would affect the yard. We're not approaching on. So we would literally come off the main staircase and put an ADA compliant switchback ramp in. It wouldn't change. Yeah. That would obstruct the building.

It would give you It would appear different from the street. You wouldn't see it would change the property quite a bit. We would have to agree to disagree on that one. Like I said, we've done this before for historical societies. you if you touch it, you have to you can't be grandfathered in no more. As you understand, that's why you guys putting an elevator in. I said there's more than one. Actually, we can be grandfathered because it's previously a government building and it's still a government building. That's not what we were told at all. State plane release already with with our I know you've been through the state plane release. Obviously, you guys have Prince has been approved. Obviously, you would have purchased an elevator if it hadn't been approved by the state. Fully aware of that. But again, it just seemed like an

we didn't have to do any ADA anything. This was a choice that the council made to try to make the building more accessible. But it's already in a public building. We didn't have to add ADA capability to it. This was a choice to add accessibility to already public building. So, what we were made aware of of my staff, and I apologize, they're not here, but my staff called spoke to them. They said that if you're renovating, you have to bring it up to code if you change. So, we do have that. If we change a bathroom or build a new bathroom, it has to be ADA. Correct. But the actual access of the building, we were not mandated to do any of that.

Okay. Well, like I said, it's it's a mute point now. You guys have already been through the process. You you've purchased it. It is what it is. Um it's not a large project.

Sure. In our opinion, it's not. But it's a purposeful project. This is our home. A lot of my staff members, we all their kids play at the fields and unfortunately we're going to be a part of removing of the fields and doing all the infrastructure in the ground on that project. Um like I said, this is home for us. This this isn't this is a little bit different. You know, this is purpose for us. So, we would like to have the opportunity to actually bid the work for you guys. I said we can give you a list. We did the fire department renovation over there for Elijah for emergency plus vehicles. I said we're going to be a part of doing the ball diamonds in July. Again, we're here.

Yeah. So, if you guys need a bid, we do. We would definitely love to help. Um, if you guys have other future projects where you have, you know, a need of assistance on anything, this is our world. So, you guys walked over there, went through the building.

Yeah. Well, uh, I was given his name by someone as a potential contractor. So I set up a time and Jennifer and I went over and met Friday and just let him tour the building and the discussion come up about the elevator and about the ADA questioning you know u with the steps and all and that's where this whole conversation come up about the elevator and uh and then obviously looked at the interior of the building uh I think Jennifer you emailed a set of plans to you. Correct. Correct. Yes, we got them on Thursday. Those plans to, you know, interested in getting a quote. Sure. To finish.

Yeah. So, it's basically, for lack of a better term, it's not what it is, but it's the elevator shaft. It's an office. The elevator shaft's done by others, right? You have a direct vendor for the elevator for the installation. They're they built the platform and they'll do the installation. They do the interlock on the doors, but the shaft infrastructure, right, needs to be built. Um, is that going to require a masonary shaft? No. Okay. And then, uh, office ADA bathroom on the main level, correct? Yeah, we've seen a lot on the Prince, but it's to my understanding you guys have a mason already for this project, correct? Now, is the mason already contracted with you guys for that? Yes.

Okay. So, and it's Wells Masonry. Is that right? Um, Hines Hines Masonry. That would be Castle. They specialize in historical work without mean making it look like they would never hear. So they're going to reuse everything they possibly can. Yeah. Match the order all that. Correct. Yeah. It's going to be hard. Yes. Somebody's custo

and work on the poor house and stuff like that. They came very highly recommended. Perfect. And I hope we get the result we're looking for, but in any case, they're under they're under contract. They're just fine. Wait for weather. Right. Of course. So, that's we'll need obviously some time to go through the plans. I'm sure we may have some questions. So, I guess who would I have my office very quickly to questions? I've got a pretty decent background with uh construction, the project, and the planning stages to to hear. Um, sure. spreads around quite a bit if it's about accessing the building or talking something through real quick, but I I would I would appreciate the ability to talk through it the finer details as well. And

absolutely, I just didn't know the architects were still involved in the project. No. Okay. No, our our intention is to self-manage this. Gotcha. So, we worked with architect on on plans and then went through the plan release process. Right. So, typically if something doesn't work in the field on the plan revision and then sometimes obviously it needs to come in checkision and prove it. So that's why still works with the architect small minor things. I know those sort of site's going to require that's fine. Their stipulation was exterior. It's exterior.

They don't want any changes to the exterior is what we ended up. So this facility they don't have control of interior. Some facilities they do. I don't believe ours has anything about that because they knew we were intending to I mean we told them what our plan was from day one. what our intention was keep it a public building try to build whatever we build try to make it period correct or at least appear as such correct um but that we would be building offices and a bathroom and stuff like that so there that our main our commitment from the beginning was we want to try to keep the property the same okay understand it's a beautiful building and I'm not going to lie where I love the street yeah it's real cool

yeah we definitely would like to be a part of it um we will need some time before we can submit guys an estimate. Sure. It's probably going to take us a couple weeks at least. Um it's obviously it's first a year. We got lots of projects started off. So just bear with us now that we know the ins and outs. Um appreciate the clarification especially on the timelines.

And the reality of it is too, I mean we need to get moving on this thing. I've been trying to uh you know kind of move this along for quite a while now. We had some things last year that kind of derailed derailed this, but even then I was still meeting with contractors and and haven't been able to get a ton of traction. I had another one turn me down this week on it. Uh or it's Monday now, so last week on it. Um and I think they just see that building and if they're a really good residential contractor, maybe they don't like the idea of even though it's the same stuff now, it's a bigger building and um you know, things are a little different from that side to this side. Um but uh but yes, I would appreciate

Okay. Like I said, give us a few weeks. I would obviously like to get I have your contact information, but I don't have contact. And I like to if I could get your contact so that when my office has questions on anything, even if it's minor, we want to make sure that we do it right in the front. Yeah. And we're not fixing anything in the rear. We're extremely proactive, not reactive. So, sounds good to me. Okay. We appreciate your time. Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions? Yes, sir. Um, from start to finish, bid through finish of the project, what are we thinking?

That project shouldn't take no more than I would say worst. Well, worst case scenario is going to be your company. If we gave you a September 1st deadline, could you hit it? Oh, absolutely. The lift is manufactured, by the way. So it's just it's the rest of the construction is the is yeah the hold up now. Okay that was I say that was my thing a lot of lead time on a lot of these items. So that's where I can't give a definitive timeline because when you're if you had everything you needed you could be done by September 1st. Oh absolutely from now to September 1st we will have three Dutch Brother restaurants completely built from scratch. Okay.

I said we move very very fastly. That's our niche marketplace. So, okay. Yeah, I'd be uh I'd be happy to hear from you and see what you all can put together. We obtain your guys's contact information. I can send it to you. There we go. That's even easier. Yeah, that'd be terrific. All right. Any other questions? Thanks. Thanks for coming out. No, no problem. Thank you very much. Yeah, that's what I I was going to let you all know that is I thought I had a line on somebody and they wouldn't come through either. So, this is kind of a last minute thing that Sure.

It's recommended Jennifer made a call and it was available meeting so Yeah, that makes sense. Uh we've got this resolution for the the festival. U I still haven't reviewed those rules yet. Does this need to be done right now or can it wait till our next meeting? Well, we really need to get the applications going and it's the same as last year. We just went and changed the dates. So, unless there's something that you guys are wanting to change from uh anything different in the rules um then you know,

didn't you talk about amending or changing some rule about the oil that was did how did we didn't we say we were going to change something about the the issue you had with the oil on the overhead oh because of that there was something we do differently I didn't know if that was a rule change or just an administrative change to enforce a if that if that doesn't fall under health department so that was a a fryer under a tent yeah where it was dripping down catching on that

does that even need to be a rule because I know there's people that cook under those things and there's no problem at all. Right. But in the event I mean we just want to make sure we have the authority to correct that situation. I would assume we do. Fire department could it was dripping on the ground too and then catching the ground on fire. Right. And we were worried it was going to go. So that seems like a bigger problem. That seems like they should have just been It was down because it was on fire. It was a down problem. And any of them carry fire extinguishers with them?

Yeah. So the the mar the state marshall is who comes around, you know, the day before or whatever and then he checks for like what Mr. Lynch said, fire extinguishers in case, you know, or else he will shut them down. So he makes sure they're safe and can put a fire out. And then the fire department and police department called me to meet them at that tent and we all three shut them down and and they were like they had no problem with it. They went to Tractor Supply, bought some kitty litter and and took care of it. So I know we had talked about it. We didn't say we're going to change any rules or anything about that. I think we have plenty of authority. I don't I don't know that we need a new rule. Okay.

So I would not like to exclude somebody that is responsible. So, uh, yeah. So, we've got resolution R-02-2026-01, a resolution designating September 26 and 27th, 2026 as the Atlanta New Earth Festival uh, dates in adopting general rules and regulations. I move that we adopt this resolution. Do I need to read the whole thing? I don't think so. I don't think you have to for resolution. As long as you have the Yeah. All right, we got uh a motion. I'll second.

All in favor? Hi. All right, there's that. Okay. Any other old business from the council tonight? We've got uh three ordinances here. Jennifer, what's a good ordinance number?

Uh let's start with um uh 2026-02-01.

Okay, we've got ordinance number 2026-02-01. I This is so This is a legal description of a property. I know in order to pass this tonight, I would need to read this.

I do not want to read this. So, we will have resolution 2026-02-01 available for public review until our next council meeting. Uh what this is is to reszone uh property that's currently zoned agricultural uh to commercial 2 C2 and that's on South Central Street. We got another one here which is ordinance number 2026-02-02 which is an ordinance of the town of council of the town of Atlanta Indiana to amend the zoning district classification map from commercial business to C2. So this is changing the bald diamond property uh from it should be special character commercial actually SC C to C2 um there's going to we'll fix these clerical issues uh clerical errors and also have this one available for public review u I guess we'll say starting tomorrow and then there's one Ordinance number 2026-02-03, an ordinance of the town council of the town of Atlanta, Indiana to amend the zoning district classification map from agricultural to C2. And this is also on South Central. Um, and it's a property immediately north of the of the Ball Diamond property. So, this ordinance will also be available for public review till our next meeting. Okay, guess we'll move on to new

business. We've got um Oh, excuse me. Uh we'll stay in old business for a minute. There is the town of Atlanta, Indiana ordinance number S-20226 which is the salary ordinance that is being amended uh for the inclusion of Mr. Brown as street superintendent, street commissioner. Um have you seen this? No.

Okay. So, uh, obviously we're early days in this, but, uh, the the council did appoint Mr. Brown, the street commissioner, at the last council meeting. Uh, the initial dollar amount that was associated with that, um, I don't know that, um, well, we didn't feel that that was appropriate. Um, so there's the ability to renegotiate this in the future and obviously it depends somewhat on performance. If you get into this thing and you do awesome, we can there shouldn't be any problems with going up. But for right now, um, we've assigned this to you at a, uh, rate of $6,346 a year. Um, so it's about a little over $500 a month bump right now. And we can revisit this as you go along. Got it.

So, thank you guys. Is there a motion to approve this revised salary ordinance? I'll make that. I'll make that motion. I'll second it. All in favor? I thank you. Welcome. Do I need to read this whole thing, too? This should just be an introduction. I'm sorry. I've screwed this all up, but I'm not going to read it. We're not going to suspend the rules. This is an ordinance. This isn't a resolution. So, this will be available for public review until Well, this would only You don't have to read the change part, right? I'm not sure. ordinance or changes.

I don't think we should deviate from the rules if if that's the rule is we have to read it would still be effective. It can be effective from the date that we made the the change. Yeah, we could. I mean, if you read it tonight, you could suspend the rules and and go ahead and and do it that way if you want and that way it's done and taken care of. I mean, Marie, I would just read the first three uh first I don't think you have to go into the whole thing, you know, but just

I'll read the I won't read all the individual job descriptions. Those are completely unchanged, but I'll read the uh just the first part of it that are new and then the I'll read the full pay schedule. uh town of Atlanta, Indiana, ordinance number S-20226. Whereas the town of Atlanta is desirous of amending a schedule of total compensation to include the salaries and benefits for its employees for the year 2026. And whereas the town council of the town of Atlanta is charged with the duty pursuant to IC36-1-4-15 and IC36-5-3-2 does hereby ordain and establish and fix the weekly and/or monthly and yearly salary rates for 2026. Whereas the town of Atlanta Town Council has reviewed the financial conditions of the town for the purposes of arriving at proposed total compensation to include salaries and benefits that are fiscally responsible and which are fair, just and equitable to its employees. And now therefore be ordained by the town of Atlanta Town Council that the total compensation for the elected officials and employees January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026 shall be as follows. Council members is a stipen of $3,500. A third from general fund, a third from water fund, a third from sewer. Clerk treasurer is a uh

I'm reading the table. Oh,

because we've adjusted the table. Uh, clerk treasur $59,38624, 60% from general fund, 20% from water, 20% from sewer. The deputy clerk, uh, not to exceed $25 an hour, $29,100, 40% from general fund, 34% from festival fund, 13 from water, and 13 from sewer. Code enforcement is a stipen of $5,460 from the general fund. Town laborer not to exceed $23.17 an hour, 48,194.33, 13% from general, 44% from water fund, 8% from motor vehicle highway fund, and 35% from the sewer fund. Uh general laborer not to extend exceed $23.17. Building commissioner uh $8,863.77 from the general fund. Street Commissioner $6,346 from the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund. Licensed water operator 2777 and21 cents from the water fund. Wastewater operator $26,61860 from the sewer fund and other positions unfilled. We have all of our job descriptions which are unchanged and this is approved and passed the ninth day of February. Can I get a copy of that?

Absolutely. 2026. Is there a motion to suspend the rules tonight? I'll move that we suspend the rules. Second. All in favor? I. Is there a motion to adopt this revised ordinance S-2026? I'll make that motion. Second.

All in favor? All right. Bye. All right, we'll move on to new business. We've got two utility adjusted. Uh, one in the amount of $157.81. Can you verify this one? The body shop?

Yes. Okay. I'll move that we approve utility adjustment. I'll second. All in favor? I

have you looked at this one on south probably. Yep. at a rate of zero as well. So, this one on South Broadway, uh, again having to do with the frozen temperatures, a split valve, uh, adjust amount of $187.81 and it has been verified, repaired. So, I'll make a motion that we this utility adjustment Second. All in favor? That's a lot of water.

How much was it? 24,000 gallons. Yeah. Oh, I didn't sign this one, did I? I just wrote the date on it.

And while that's making its way down, uh, Jennifer, do you have any more information about this? There's a a resident here that is trying to raise some support uh for this uh the pink law. I do not situation across. Yeah. So I don't know. I'll go ahead and mention it. This is just something that uh they contacted the town and they're trying to get people to put pink light bulbs outside in in in support of that. So if you that's a cause near and dear to your heart and you feel like uh joining them in that'd be kind of nice to see. Any other new business from the council tonight?

Uh, we got application. Is that the only other one? Uh, no. Uh, well, I don't know if there's been any more than this or not. Um, I do have somebody coming on Wednesday that's taken over temporarily. Um, it's not who I lined up originally, as you all know. Um uh but it is one of our other applicants. Did he get his issue res?

Yes. Yeah. Um and in the meantime, I appreciate Mr. Schultz being willing to stay on for an additional week. So, um, he said he'd stay for a week or less, obviously, if we work out the, uh, he's good with the other issues. He's good with the Wednesday. I haven't talked to him. He said on Friday, though, that he could go up to a week. So,

all right. Um, nothing else from the council. Is there anything from anyone in attendance tonight? Luke, have you anybody that's not moving or anything? Um, like recently the last four months at least. Uh, no, I don't think so.

I think we should. Okay. Anyone in particular? I'm not doing your job. Okay. We're just asking for concern like what like what we're at. I'm not telling it. That's his job. Okay. He should have already seen it. Well, that's helpful. Regular sweeps are something that I did. Um, you know, obviously they're somewhat weather dependent here, but that is an expectation. I don't need those books from you. Are you kidding me? I'm looking at you. What is the issue? No, you need to be Is there any other questions or comments?

Yes, ma'am. Yeah. You want to go first? Go ahead. No, go ahead.

Hi. Good evening, council. I'm Amy Summerfield. I know some of you from my time as a deputy prosecutor and some of you from my time at the sheriff's office, but I'm here tonight formerly introducing myself as candidate for judge. I'm running for Hamilton County Superior Court three in the upcoming May primary. We've got five courts on our ballot, which is 50% of our courts in Hamilton County. So, it's kind of a big deal this year. Um, I my focus has been on public safety and mental health my entire career. I'm a 20-year resident of the county and my entire career has also been in public service. I won't I'll leave or I can hand out some of these. My only other comment is I also serve as the um law enforcement liaison to the Hamilton County Humane Society and I was the primary writer of the county ordinances. So if you guys need language, there's no point reinventing the wheel. I would be glad to share.

Appreciate it. Appreciate that. Thank you. Did you have something? I do. Yeah. Are we going to plow the alleys? Is there a reason we did not do that this year? Uh, I'll start by the Alex. I'm just asking why and what is going on with Broadway and the snow still out in the middle of the almost halfway past. So, Broadway, is there a reason we're not pling alleys this year?

I don't have an answer for that. I know when I worked here, we plowed alleys anytime it got over about three inches. Um, but I think this is the worst snow removal we've had. I think uh we'll we're going to um set some clear standards and um we're going to kind of come to an agreement on what things should look like and and that's how they'll be moving forward. And if they're not, um, we'll we'll have to pivot a different direction. And I have one more thing. Sure. Um, so did you hire I couldn't really understand what you're saying. Did you hire a new wastewater?

Uh, we have a new operator that will be joining us. Uh, but similar to how Mr. Schultz is doing it right now. He will be our operator um for the water treatment system and the the wastewater plant. Um, but he has interest in uh the town superintendent job as well. Uh, Mr. Schultz, with him leaving, this seemed like a good way to bring somebody else in who's interested in working for us in a larger capacity. And so, he's going to start with us this week um operating the plants and hopefully we can develop a bit of relationship there. If he's a great fit for the town, maybe we can move forward with hiring him for uh the other position as well.

Right. U now I know we provide Is is there a reason where a take-h home vehicle firm? Is there what a reason he has a take-home vehicle? Uh because he works for the town doing utility work and he lives right here. I mean, it's not like he lives. I got it. Yeah. Uh my question is, is that so he can be available if there's an emergency for the town in general? Yes. But also, I mean, there's a convenience factor there, too. I mean, it'd be kind of silly for Are we also working for Arcadia? No. Okay.

The town doesn't work for Arcadia. I've just noticed the truck at Arcadia a few times. So, I'ming if we

The town has historically given a great deal of uh understanding to employees with no understanding that they're on call. um they're not to use it as their primary personal vehicle, but um within a reasonable radius of town to to use our town vehicles for that. Obviously, none of this is really written hard in stone as as uh you know, there's no hard rules or guidelines on it. We just don't know of any case of it uh uh being abused anytime recently. I remember when I was a kid, somebody using it for you know, a drug for farm work or doing a job somewhere or something like that. We don't know of anything like that happening. We don't know about anybody going on trips or out of state or

taking their family out to eat or anything like that. Um so then the understanding kind of would be well they're on call. They got to they're going to you know be within striking distance of the town but may need to come to work at a drop of a hat. I personally am okay with our truck being driven there. I mean Okay. But we're not using it for other employment. Correct. Correct. Yes. So you're not that I'm aware for as a reserve in Arcadia and taking the Atlanta truck. I think he'd probably use a police car for police work. But you're driving the truck to work, correct?

And so so it's happened time and time again. I get called no matter if I'm at if I'm coaching my son's basketball team in two miles down 19, I'm leaving the I'm grabbing a parent saying take over. I have to go tap. So no matter where I am, I'm on the way here. Someday we get called here in that truck.

Yeah, I understand the the concern. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify that. As far as I know and I think what our understanding as a council is other than transportation in in the case where somebody is still considered to be on call and may be required to respond uh I don't know of any other use of our vehicles or equipment. My only question. Well, he gets sorry. Okay. Well, you know, like we get all this snow trucks over here at the garage and he's at home and he gets stuck trying to get over to the truck to get that plow. The street ain't going to get piled

cuz he's too busy trying to get his truck dug out to get over to the barn to get the truck. Two piles. You know taking it home. They always have been alive around here.

I'm I'm not questioning just going two blocks to his house. I'm questioning going to Arcadia to be a deputy. He gets called. He still has to come home, change his clothes. Is that me? I don't know. He probably keeps something with him. But I keep a change of clothes in my bag. There's a bag in my truck right now. As long as it doesn't affect his job here. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. No, I Yeah, I think it's that's a fair it's a fair question and you're on the side of the road somebody over.

Yeah. Water main break. I it is it is good that we've been able to to clarify our position or at least my my position and my understanding of my fellow council members position is is what I stated as well which is um I think there's kind of a reasonable uh standard of use uh that's kind of long been understood and and I don't know of any violations of that and if I did um well we would address those for sure but everybody who lives here has a right to to uh question or scrutinize anything that's happening here. I mean, this is you're you you're a a resident and taxpayer here and you're a customer of the utility company which the taxable entity also owns. So, um we're we were elected to to take whatever questions you all have and represent you properly. I know you've been pushing this too, Murray, and I don't know how much to investigate because I don't know what I'm talking about, but establishing the park board. Yes.

Does that just have to first have an ordinance? Um that is something uh the p particular area of the state statute that I was looking at there. There are so many different qualifications and uh some of it almost comes down to like semantic issues of uh you know um what's a park board versus a park commission or what size of a municipality is it and that there's all these different standards. Um, but there are predetermined standards for the number of members that are to be on a park board. And then that is what, as I understand it, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, who is the grant that we would, um, be hoping to go after or Department of National Resources, excuse me, IDNR, um, they're referencing that state code as well. So, they're standard for a park board. Um, either way, we need a park board. If we do it by this the standards set in the state statute, it would also leave us eligible for the uh ID&R grant. So, you're right. We're behind on establishing that. We talked about this last in December.

Well, I knew we probably weren't ready for the park board, but I just thought we had to set pass an ordinance first before we could even continue on with anything else. And I'm that's just what I read. I

the ordinance that we would pass would be establishing that park board. We may not have the members for it yet, but it would exist as an entity that then we could fill. And I know that none of us as council members can be on there either. Um it's either going to be um I think it's five I think it's five members of the public. Um and then they kind of advise the council on the park, so to speak. So um we need to work on that. So thank you for reminding me. I I knew you'll try to make something happen. I just didn't know where we were. No, I've got to talk to the attorneys about some other stuff anyway. So, we'll see if we can get them to come up with something for our next meeting.

Thank you. But we did have three or four people who expressed interest in being on that. Yeah. No, I know there's a lot of interest. I know we're getting a lot of support for the for it. I know people are getting kind of excited at the idea of of actually being able to do a substantial project. Um, so it's definitely on us to get the ball rolling here, get the wheels in motion. So, who's the nominee you have right now to appoint? Is there anybody appointed or No, we don't even have a a park board at the moment. We have to create the park board and then we'll we'll uh get some members on it and we'll start working towards a park project. Interest.

Yes, quite a few. Actually, Mr. Johnson here just said he knows of four uh and I know of a couple as well. Uh, well, I don't I don't know. Well, let's officially announce it. Let's officially announce the board and then we'll see who applies and and and we'll try to go from there because I don't public information, but it's nothing's official. The board doesn't even exist. So, they're applying to nothing. It's It's like you asking me a question. Uh, I'm not going to tell everyone then that you asked me a question if it doesn't pertain to anything yet. So, he's just asking who who all is interested. Sure.

Yeah. I don't know. I mean, I know Bill Malott has publicly mentioned it here at this council meeting. That's one that I can think of off the top of my head, but I can't think of anybody else uh other than a couple people that have come up to me personally and I've said, "Well, we're going to create a board and when we do, uh, come apply for it." So, that's all I can say. So, it takes your guys's approval to approve the people that are interested. Yes. Okay. Is there a motion to sign our claims and adjourn? I'll move that sign claims and adjourn. I'll second. All in favor? I